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Dear Neighbors, |
Happy August! I hope you're enjoying these waning days of prime-time summer.
The best news I have is that Lake County will be allocating nearly $2.4 million to a First Responder and Veteran Wellness Center in downtown Round Lake. Situated in a vacated medical office near the Ace Hardware on Main Street (across from the Metra station), the wellness center will provide services to our veterans, police and firefighters.
I was honored to advocate for this project and be part of the team that will make this a reality and better serve those who protect and rescue us 24-7. After nearly a year-long process of evaluating worthy community projects to be funded by the federal American Rescue Plan Act, the board unanimously voted to approve the wellness center funding.
My heartfelt thanks to Greg Formica, chief of the Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District; Bruce Johnson, director of Nicasa; my board colleague Esiah Campos; and Dan Pierre, Grayslake Fire Protection District Chief. I was proud to support this project, which will serve all of Lake County and provide a boost to downtown Round Lake.
Forest Preserve News
I'm pleased to report progress on a proposal forwarded to me by Third Lake Mayor Butch Buckley to explore restoring a wetland along Mill Creek in Rollins Savanna Forest Preserve in Grayslake.
In an effort to reduce sediment flow into Third Lake — and improve water quality — Forest Preserve ecologists will work with our Stormwater Management Commission and a leading consulting firm that specializes in wetland restoration.
By the way, in an unrelated development, the rare, endangered rusty patched bumble bee was spotted in a nearby forest preserve. This is a real testament to the Forest Preserves ongoing restoration work and focus on biodiversity. I think few people know that Lake County is home to more rare and endangered plant and animal species than any other county in Illinois. So, it's always a great time to get out on your trails and explore the most biodiverse county in the state.
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As the weather cools down a bit, it's the perfect time of year for Hike Lake County, a popular family-oriented event. When you hike the equivalent of seven trails, you can earn a hiking stick shield, zipper pull or medallion for your dog.
While we have a sampling of preserves on our official list, you can also choose a "wild card" hiking the preserve of your choice.
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Note: Nippersink Forest Preserve is on the list, but you could also choose Rollins Savanna or the Millenium Trail through Fourth or Round Lake.
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I am also heartened to report progress on establishing a Greenway corridor on the Route 53 right of way. If approved and completed, the Greenway would link Grayslake to Cook County. I've talked with key stakeholders and we hope to have something to report this fall. We're working on persuading state agencies and General Assembly members to fund a working plan for the project, which would transfer land from the Illinois Department of Transportation to the state Department of Natural Resources. The Greenway will connect to many existing trails and at least four Forest Preserves.
Congratulations Dylan!
Finally, congratulations to Dylan Van Zeyl of Round Lake -- and his parents Stacey and Tom -- for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. As an Eagle Scout myself, I know he worked hard on his impressive community project. I was honored to present him a certificate of recognition and medallion on behalf of the County Board. This is something I'm thrilled to do for any Eagle Scout in my district.
If you have need of county services, please call 2-1-1. If you need immediate behavioral health counseling, please call 9-8-8. I'm honored to serve you and speak at your community events.
Best,
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Lake County Government News
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County Board Appropriates Remaining $15.6 Million of ARPA Funds
At the Aug. 8 meeting, the Lake County Board approved to appropriate the remaining $15.6 million of the $135.2 million of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. These funds were provided to Lake County Government for direct local recovery assistance following the COVID-19 pandemic. There will be no additional rounds of funding planned at this time.
View the list of projects that were approved to receive funding, including a brief description of each one and the amount that was allocated.
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County Board Newsletter Can Be Translated Into Over 130 Languages
 Did you know that my County Board Member e-newsletter can be translated into any language that is available through Google translate?
Click the “translate” link at the top of this newsletter, and once there, you can select from over 130 languages used around the globe to translate the newsletter content.
In Lake County, we embrace diversity and want to ensure that no matter the language you speak, the county news and information shared through this newsletter is accessible to you. Please note that accuracy currently is at approximately 70 percent.
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Stormwater Management News |
Wildwood Stormwater Infrastructure Improvement Work Has Started
Officials gathered on Aug. 9 at the edge of Valley Lake in unincorporated Wildwood to mark the beginning of construction on the Wildwood Infrastructure Improvement project. The work will reduce the flood risk for more than 210 property owners and alleviate the volume of stormwater runoff across several roadways which frequently flood and are closed during severe weather.
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Transportation News
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Pace Helps Move People Across Lake County
Pace offers several tools to help plan your next trip. Within their website, riders can view all routes that Pace operates, and when selecting a route provides the times those buses operate along that route.
Riders also can visit the Google Transit trip planner that offers directions to/from points all around the six-county Chicago region, using Pace, CTA, and Metra fixed route transit service.
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Health News
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Providing A Crisis Lifeline in Lake County
People can call or text 988 for themselves or if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. 988 offers 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing mental health-related distress, including thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance abuse crises, emotional distress or other reasons.
Callers with a Lake County area code who call 988 are routed to the Health Department Crisis Care Line. In some instances, the person over the phone can be provided referrals to resources such as shelter, food pantry, Wellness Center or other social service agencies.
If in-person intervention is requested, the Health Department Mobile Response team will respond to the individual wherever they are.
Watch this short video to learn about the ways the Mobile Response Team supports our community.
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TB Clinic Provides Free Blood Testing
The Lake County Health Department provides services for newly arrived Ukrainian refugees to Lake County.
Individuals are required to do a Tuberculosis (TB) blood test within 90 days of arriving in the United States. The Health Department provides free testing through its TB clinic in Waukegan. Appointments are highly recommended as there is limited walk-in availability. TB is caused by a bacteria that usually attacks the lungs, but can attack different parts of the body.
View this flyer in English and Ukrainian to learn more
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Election News |
Candidate Information Session Planned Aug. 22
The Lake County Clerk’s Office invites potential candidates for office for the 2024 elections to a candidate information session from noon to 1 p.m. Aug. 22.
The session will go over the petition packet, what to expect during filing, and share resources that are publicly available at the County Clerk’s and Illinois State Board of Elections' website. Be advised that this is strictly for informational purposes and the County Clerk’s Office does not provide legal advice.
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Environmental News
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Set the PACE by Going Green in Lake County
Commercial property owners are invited to an informational webinar to learn about an innovative program that can help local businesses make energy-efficient improvements. The webinar will take place on Aug. 16 at 11 a.m.
This webinar is recommended for commercial property owners that are interested in pursuing energy efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation, electrical vehicle charging and resiliency projects for their commercial buildings.
Register to join the Aug. 16 webinar
Learn more about the C-PACE program
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Job News |
Lake County Job Fair Is Coming
Attend the 2023 Lake County job fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 15 at the Round Lake Area Sports Center. More than 40 area employers from a variety of sectors will be onsite. Veterans will be given priority for the first half hour.
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Job Center of Lake County Is Your Career Solution
The Job Center of Lake County can help you to transition careers, identify job opportunities and connect with employers.
Watch this video to learn more about the virtual and onsite resources that are available to all job seekers through the Job Center partners. And view the full Job Center calendar to learn about various upcoming events and resources.
Check Hire Lake County
Check Hire Lake County for information about job opportunities and businesses vetted by the Job Center’s business service team.
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Get Help
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Use 211 to Get Connected to the Help You Need
Finding the help you need may be three numbers away. If you need help finding food, healthcare, shelter, or other services, call 211 or text your zip code to 898211 to speak with someone who can help 24/7. Speak to a live person in English or Spanish when you call. The 211 team will also interpret more than 150 languages. The service is free and confidential. Learn more
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Forest Preserves News
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Horizons Magazine Earns Awards
The communications and design division of the Lake County Forest Preserves earned two national awards through APEX, the Annual Awards for Publication Excellence Competition. The awards are related to Horizons, available in print and online. The free quarterly magazine features articles, resources and news about conservation, wildlife, trails, recreation, nature and history education.
The Forest Preserves earned a Grand Award–the top honor–for the fall 2022 issue of Horizons in the “newsletters” category. An Award of Excellence was garnered for a feature story, “Growing Through Change: Preparing for the Future Climate” in the spring-summer 2022 issue of Horizons. This feature was entered in the “environment–climate change/eco-friendly” category. Read more »
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Blues Concert Set For Thursday
Led by Chicago Hall of Fame harmonica master and songwriter Pierre Lacocque, Mississippi Heat, will perform 7:30 to 9 p.m., Thursday, August 10 at the amphitheater at Greenbelt Cultural Center in North Chicago. The motto for the world-class Chicago blues band is “traditional blues with a unique sound” as they present fresh, yet vintage-based musical ideas.
Bring chairs and blankets. Pack a picnic, or food and soft drinks are available for purchase from Delights by Angela. To help offset the cost of the concert there is a $10 vehicle entrance fee. Learn more »
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Program Planned About Illinois Black Codes
A free program about the Illinois Black Codes takes place virtually from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, August 17. USG is sponsoring the program, “Lives in Code, Stories of African American Resilience Under the Illinois Black Codes.” The codes regulated the lives of enslaved people, indentured servants and free Blacks and lasted for 46 years from 1819-1885. Despite intense restrictions, African Americans in Illinois persevered.
This event is being produced in partnership with Illinois Humanities. The Illinois Humanities Road Scholars Speakers Bureau invites Illinois authors, artists, and educators to share their expertise and enthusiasm with people throughout the state, enabling local nonprofit organizations to present free-admission cultural programs to their communities. Registration is required. Learn more »
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Community Events & News
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Summer Isn’t Over Yet! Fill Your August with Fun
August is jam-packed full of splendid warm-season events for you and the family to put on the docket. From festivals to food trucks and music events, there is so much to do across Lake County to savor every last morsel of summer. Enjoy!
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Watch All County Board and Committee Meetings
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All Lake County board and committee meetings can be viewed on lakecounty.tv and on cable television (Comcast channels 18 or 30, depending on where you live, and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99).
The public also is welcome to attend all meetings in person at the Lake County Administrative Tower, 18 N. County Street, Waukegan or may attend meetings remotely using the registration link on the front page of each meeting’s agenda.
Individuals attending meetings in person or remotely may present their public comments during the meeting. Those not in attendance may provide written public comment via email or by mail. View the current meeting schedule. All meetings are recorded and are posted on the Lake County website.
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